Move FM Global News

ANKARA, Turkey: Peace talks between Pakistan and Afghanistan ended without success in Istanbul after four days of discussions, Pakistan’s information minister said early on October 29.

He blamed the Taliban government in Kabul for refusing to act against militants accused of carrying out deadly attacks across the border.

The Istanbul talks followed an earlier round in Doha, where both sides agreed to a ceasefire on October 19 after violent border clashes that killed dozens, including soldiers and civilians. The ceasefire was still holding after the Istanbul talks collapsed, with no new fighting reported.

Pakistan accuses the Taliban of allowing militants to use Afghan territory to attack Pakistan, while the Taliban denies the claim.

Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar wrote on social media that the talks had “failed to bring about any workable solution,” despite mediation by Qatar and Turkey. Kabul has not yet commented on the failure.

Both countries’ state media reported that the talks had reached a deadlock, with each side blaming the other for not being willing to compromise.

Tarar said Pakistan joined the peace process at the request of Qatar and Turkey to give peace “another chance.” He accused the Taliban of showing no concern for Pakistan’s losses, saying that Pakistan had long supported peace and prosperity for Afghans.

He thanked Qatar and Turkey for helping organize the talks, which were part of a larger diplomatic effort to ease rising tensions over cross-border attacks and militant safe havens. Relations between the two neighbors have been strained since the Taliban took power in Afghanistan in 2021.

Tarar added that the Taliban “thrives on a war economy” and “wants to drag the Afghan people into a needless war.” He warned that Pakistan’s “patience has run out” and that the government would take “all possible measures” to protect its citizens from terrorism.

Pakistani officials told the Associated Press that the talks stalled because Kabul refused to provide assurances that Afghan soil would not be used for attacks against Pakistan. The Taliban team in Istanbul reportedly sought constant guidance from Kabul and was “not fully willing” to accept Pakistan’s proposals.

Meanwhile, Afghan state media accused Pakistan of not being serious about peace, saying Kabul “made every effort to hold constructive talks.”

During the talks, U.S. President Donald Trump said he was ready to help resolve the dispute quickly.

The Doha ceasefire remains in place, but the stalemate in Istanbul shows little progress. According to Pakistani security analyst Syed Mohammad Ali, Afghanistan’s strategy appeared to be slowing down the talks and avoiding firm commitments to act against Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and other militant groups based in Afghanistan.

Pakistan says the TTP has been using Afghan territory since the Taliban’s return to power and has stepped up attacks inside Pakistan. Earlier this month, Pakistan said its military targeted TTP hideouts in Afghanistan, leading to deadly clashes before Qatar helped broker the truce.

All border crossings remain closed, leaving trucks and goods stranded for more than two weeks as both sides await the reopening of key trade routes.